1
as in jumble
a state in which everything is out of order
things at the newly built school were all in a muddle on opening day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in daze
a state of mental confusion
I was in such a muddle after the accident that I didn't know where I was
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3
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
the new, supposedly improved forms simply put taxpayers in a bigger muddle
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4
as in variety
an unorganized collection or mixture of various things
a muddle of old magazines piled on the shelves
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1
as in to confuse
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
a car shopper thoroughly muddled by too much well-meaning advice
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2
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
some mischievous brat had muddled the household accounts
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muddle
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
The risk that the muddle in both Washington and Sarajevo will cost jobs in Gorazde has left the town’s mayor, Mr. Imamovic, aghast.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Today, these delineators have been somewhat complicated as unprecedented times muddle the bounds of politics and social codes.
—Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Noun
There’s an entanglement involving professors, graduate students, and department leaders that ends in a true Edwardian muddle.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 June 2025
The risk that the muddle in both Washington and Sarajevo will cost jobs in Gorazde has left the town’s mayor, Mr. Imamovic, aghast.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Verb
That’s muddling the outlook for rate cuts.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Today, these delineators have been somewhat complicated as unprecedented times muddle the bounds of politics and social codes.
—Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muddle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muddle
Noun
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In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The 19-year-old pledge at Pennsylvania State University died in 2017 after twice falling down the stairs of the Beta Theta Pi house in a drunken daze.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
24 Aug. 2025
-
When Lorenzo Charles plucked an air ball from the sky and slammed home a game-winning dunk, Valvano ran around the court in a daze, looking for someone to hug.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The 30-hour search for a suspect Across the country, the killing of the prominent political figure and media personality – the latest in a string of political violence incidents – had sowed shock and confusion.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In one notable instance, antipathy toward business has led to confusion and unnecessary tension.—
Kerry Jackson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This drugstore find offers audacious shine, unmatched hydration, and 10 buildable shades (and not just the can’t-keep-in-stock Rum Raisin) that work across a very wide variety of complexions.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Both Italy and Spain claim to be the birthplace of this variety, but according to the grape geneticists, Spain appears to be the most likely place of origin.—
Elisabetta Tosi,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yes, God confuses the language and scatters everyone, thereby creating linguistic and cultural diversity.—
John Fugelsang
September 12,
Literary Hub,
12 Sep. 2025
-
At one point, O’Steen was confused by a question, and the resulting back-and-forth was reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello repartee.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, pollution accumulation and vessel noise disrupt their echolocation abilities, making hunting increasingly difficult.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Free of sulfates, fragrances, and dyes, the Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner won’t disrupt your scalp’s barrier.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Other cuts start as pop songs before crashing into atonal messes and freak rock chaos.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Vacmaster Portable Carpet Cleaner Utilizing 15 kilopascals of suction power, the cleaner shampoos carpeted and upholstered surfaces to break up tough messes.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Marilyn Minter adapted Barbara Shermund’s 1925 image of a goddess-like woman in grape-cluster earrings; Minter shot the actor Sadie Sink through glass, creating a dreamy haze.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Through the haze of doom that shrouds climate science shines the passion behind the quest to understand and solve one of the greatest challenges humanity has faced.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muddle. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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